Insatiable. You’ve probably already heard of this show and the outrage it has caused. Insatiable is a very problematic show and a petition has been released to stop the show. There are a bunch of things where this show goes wrong.
1) The incessant fat shaming. A recurring theme in the show is ‘skinny magic’. The protagonist, Patty, used to be fat but then she got skinny. Earlier, she was bullied for her looks and weight. After getting skinny, she has two boys fighting over her. This is a horrible representation, that makes young girls all over the world think you have to be skinny to be pretty and to be liked. After getting punched, Patty has her jaw wired shut so she can’t eat, causing to get skinny. Patty refers to this as a ‘miracle’. She also skips meals, and feels lightheaded after that. This promotes the thought that girls should just stop eating and thus promoting eating disorders. 91% of young women have recurring negative thoughts about their body. This show obviously cannot be a good influence.
2) The homophobia and biphobia. Patty’s best friend Nonnie is a closeted bisexual. Repeatedly, biphobic comments are made. “Bisexuals are like angels or demons. They don’t exist.” This comment is horribly offensive. Later, a teenage girl releases a nude of herself from Patty’s phone. This causes people to believe she likes Patty. The girl Dixie comments, “I just figured everybody would think I am a slut. Now they think I’m a lesbian and that’s way worse.” Is this really the role model young girls need? It’s 2018, people. When is this bigotry going to stop?
3)
This show makes sexual harassment and molestation jokes. First, a girl’s mother falsely accuses a pageant coach of molestation just because her daughter did not win. In the same episode, the pageant coach, Bob, starts working with Patty because for her new body. Because of the attention she gets from him, Patty gets infatuated with Bob, even though he is three times a age and has a daughter in the same class as her. That’s just pathetic and wrong. Patty makes a crass comment, about how she may have a chance with him if he is really a child molester. Come on, Netflix. Molestation jokes? And to make things worse, the young girl that accused Bob of molestation shows interest in an older private investigator.
4) It’s not over yet. The show also trivializes mental health and makes fun of BPD. Borderline Personality Disorder is described as a person having demons inside themselves, Being Possessed by a Demon. It’s completely crass and offensive.
I myself couldn’t get through half an hour of this horrible show. I felt gross and guilty just watching it. This isn’t the kind of representation we need, this isn’t the kind of influence young girls, or rather anyone needs.
